Remove Edge associations

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
  This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
• Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
• 3 scripts
• Fully reversible

  You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

  The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview

This category removes Microsoft Edge browser associations from your Windows system, enhancing privacy and system control.

These associations often remain after uninstalling Edge, potentially leading to unexpected behaviors and privacy concerns ¹.

Removing these associations will:

• Preventi Edge from automatically handling various file types and web protocols
• Reduce potential data collection and tracking via Microsoft Edge
• Eliminate leftover settings that may cause system instability after uninstalling Edge ¹
• Potentially improve system performance by removing unnecessary file and protocol handlers

This category is recommended if you've decided not to use Edge or have uninstalled it. This gives you full control over which applications handle your files and web protocols.

Caution

This will change how your system handles various file types and web protocols. Remember to set up an alternative browser.

Technical Details

This category addresses associations found under specific registry keys:

• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Microsoft Edge\Capabilities\FileAssociations
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Microsoft Edge\Capabilities\URLAssociations

The scripts remove associations for file types (like .htm, .html, .pdf, .svg), and protocols such as (http, https, and ftp).

This category does not clear associations under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet registry key. Because default installer already clears these keys.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

Sources

PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

• [BUG]: can't sign in again · Issue #64 · undergroundwires/privacy.sexy. (2024).
  Original: https://github.com/undergroundwires/privacy.sexy/issues/64
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240803173827/https://github.com/undergroundwires/privacy.sexy/issues/64
• Set Microsoft Edge as the default browser on Windows and macOS. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/edge-default-browser
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231001221635/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/edge-default-browser

Apply Now

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly

• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Easy-to-apply
• Free
• Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy

• Military-grade privacy protection
• Major system impact
• Consider having system restore point.

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Apply protection

Undo protection

Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge associations" using script

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Web Browser
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 5 instructions

1. 1

   Download

   Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
   Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
2. 2

   Keep the file

   If warned by your browser, keep the file.
3. 3

   Open

   Open the downloaded file.
4. 4

   Exit

   Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
5. 5

   Restart

   Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy

Guided, automated application with safety checks

• Recommended for most users
• Includes safety checks
• Shows the code
• Free
• Open-source
• Popular
• Offline/Online usage

Open privacy.sexy

Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge associations" using privacy.sexy

• ≈ 3 min to complete
• Tools: privacy.sexy
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 4 instructions

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.

1. 1

   Open or download

   Open or download the desktop application
2. 2

   Choose script

   1. Search for the category name: Remove Edge associations
   2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
3. 3

   Run

   Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

   This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide

• 3 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

• Remove Edge application selection associations

  This script prevents Microsoft Edge from being listed as a default program for various file types and web links in Windows, giving you control ...

• Remove Edge Open With associations

  This script removes Microsoft Edge associations from the Open With context menu for various file types. It enhances privacy by reducing Mic...

• Remove Edge user associations

  This script removes user-chosen Microsoft Edge associations for specific file types and web links. Even if a user does not explicitly choose Ed...

Similar Guides

Wider Goal

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Remove Edge

This category automates the uninstallation of Microsoft Edge (also known as "Chromium Edge" or "New Edge"), the web browser that comes pre-installed with...

— Remove Edge

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Visit category page

Same Goal

Other guides in Remove Edge See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Remove Edge through official installer

Remove Edge shortcuts

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

  • Certified security professional
  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
  • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
• Open-Source Contributors

  • Hundreds across the globe
  • Testers, reviewers, developers
  • Companies, military agencies
  • Community since 2017

About Us

Reviewed By

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

• Expert review by undergroundwires

  • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
  • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
  • Audited and verified using automated security tests

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
  • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process